HOME turf proved lucky once again for the Loreto Wexford School who, for the past three years, have won two and were second last year in the Loreto-hosted interschools at Wexford Equestrian last Sunday.

Open team competitions trying to gain points for the TRI equestrian league were hotly contested but once again Loreto Wexford came out on top. A testing track built by John Doyle, saw Loreto Wexford the only team with clears to claim victory on the day. Four teams finished on four faults and were decided on second round team times placing – Dominican College second, Good Councel College third and East Glendalough in fourth place. Fifth place went to Wesley College and sixth to Gorey Community School.

Novice teams lined up with over 19 teams from all over the country where six managed to end on zero faults after the first two rounds. The six teams were Newbridge College, St Mary’s Arklow, Colaiste Bhride red, yellow and blue teams and Gorey Community. The eventual winners were Newbridge College whose Hannah Groves, with four faults, and Eva O’Neill (clear) gave them a four-fault total in 50.36. Second were St Mary’s Arklow with Ella Devereux (four faults) and Sunita Jackson (clear) giving a total of four faults in 65.98. Third place went to Colaiste Bhride Carnew red, when Sarah Shepard jumped off with four faults and Cian Byrne jumped clear to give them a total of four faults in 67.44. Fourth place was held by Gorey Community school with Angelica McGee knocking a pole but Joe Dunne jumping clear for a four-fault total in 78.61, which left Colaiste Bhride blue in fifth place and Colaiste Bhride yellow in sixth.

In full swing

The Primary arena was in full swing with 10 teams but the local St Anne’s team was triumphant this time with the white team who had a few new riders competing.

The individual divisions had the arenas buzzing all day starting with the 55cm Primary Schools where victory went to Ross Warren from Carrigduff with Lily Redmond from Ballinkillen National School in second and Oisin Goff from St Aiden’s National School in third place. The 75cm class was clinched by Noah Murphy from Rosslare Strand, with Ava Kelly from Raheen National School second and Holly Spencer from Gorey taking third.

The Novice Individuals 80cm saw Anna Murphy from Myshall claim the fastet clear, with Jessica Murphy from Loreto Wexford in second and Megan Parkinson from St Mary’s College third. The 90cm qualifier had nearly 30 riders battle it out for qualifying spots for the final in April, and Loreto Wexford rider Faye Murphy won the class. Colaiste Bhride’s Cian Byrne and St Mary’s Arklows Ella Devereux were second and third respectively.

The Open Individual competitions kicked off with the Open 1m and again a large number contested. Emma Kehoe from St Mary’s New Ross won the class followed by Borris Vocational rider Patrick Doyle in second and Scoil Mhuires, Carrick On Suir rider Ava Lynch in third.

The final class was the Horse Sport Ireland-sponsored 1.10m class with one of the biggest entries of the year and with only four clears. The top placing went to Meabh Byrne from Loreto Wexford, who has won for the last three years. First prize was sponsored by Waterford international rider Paddy O’Donnell, a fantastic horse rug and a lesson with him on offer and creating huge excitement.

The second qualifying spot went to Borris VC rider Claire Kavanagh, third to Anna Cox from Rathdrum and the fourth clear round went to Loreto Wexford’s Taylor Peare. These were closely followed by the last two qualifying spots, earned by Killian Murphy and Eamon Byrne from Good Councel College.